Duterte asks Filipinos to leave Kuwait

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte asked Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Kuwait to pack up and leave, following alleged “inhuman treatment” of Filipino migrants, many of whom have committed suicide.

“I’m sorry. The Filipinos there, you can all go home. If you all get out of Kuwait, they will also be having a hell of a time adjusting there,” said Duterte, before leaving for India to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-India Commemorative Summit. He was also scheduled to attend India’s Republic Day celebrations, along with all other Asean heads of governments.

“One more incident about a woman, a Filipina being raped there, I’m going to stop, I’m going to ban,” Duterte ranted. He did not give details about the OFW who was recently raped in Kuwait. There are more than 250,000 Filipinos working in Kuwait.

Addressing government officials in Kuwait, Duterte said, “Can I just ask you now to treat my countrymen as human beings with dignity? I don’t want to fight with you. We need your help. You are helping us, but if it [the assistance] ends up with misery, rape, and my countrymen committing suicide [they might as well leave Kuwait]. We are poor, we may need your help, but we will not do it [work] at the expense of the dignity of the Filipino,” Duterte said.

He added: “Kuwait has always been an ally. But please do something [about] it,” stating that if he cannot solve the problems encountered by OFWs in Kuwait, “then there is no reason for me to stay in this position a minute longer”.